This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message from 1 Thessalonians 4. Because God has graciously saved and redeemed us through Jesus Christ, He calls us to live lives that please Him in holiness, love, and integrity. Paul reminds believers that pleasing God involves pursuing sexual purity, loving others more deeply, and faithfully fulfilling everyday responsibilities in a way that honors Christ. As we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and look forward to Christ’s return, our lives should reflect God’s purpose for us as His people, zealous for good works and devoted to His glory.

Titus 2:11–14 (ESV)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

What Pleases God?

Holiness and Purity

1 Thessalonians 4:1–2 (ESV)

1 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Psalm 42:1 (NLT)

1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6 (ESV)

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

Principles for maintaining sexual purity and morality…

  • The body should not control the believer (:4).
  • The believer should not act like the unbeliever (:5).
  • The believer should not take advantage of others (:6a).

Hebrews 13:4 (ESV)

4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Colossians 3:3–5 (ESV)

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways…

  1. It causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning.
  2. It destroys marriages.
  3. It is deliberate rebellion against God’s Word.
  4. It always hurts someone else in addition to the sinner.

1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (ESV)

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 (ESV)

7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Why should a believer live sexually pure?

1. God’s vengeance

Sexual immorality for a believer could result in…

  • Severely damaged marriage, accompanied by loss of family love and respect.
  • The sin could lead to a divorce (Matt. 5:32; 19:9).
  • God may discipline the person by allowing him or her to be afflicted with venereal disease or some other physical affliction.
  • The sin could result in the absence of blessing.
  • The presence of a greater than average number of trials and troubles.
  • Could result in an untimely death (1 Cor. 10:8).
  • Loss of eternal reward (Prov. 11:18; 1 Cor. 3:12–15; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 John 8).

2. God’s purpose

Ephesians 2:8–10 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

3. God’s Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:16 (ESV)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

What Pleases God?

Loving Others

    1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 (ESV)

    9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

    Romans 5:5 (ESV)

    5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

    1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)

    22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

    What Pleases God?

    Integrity in Daily Life

      1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (ESV)

      11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

      2 Thessalonians 3:11–12 (ESV)

      11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

      Discussion Questions:

      1. According to Titus 2:11–14, what does God’s grace teach believers to do? How does grace motivate holy living?
      2. How does understanding that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19–20) affect the way we make decisions?
      3. Ephesians 2:10 says we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. How does knowing God’s purpose for your life help you resist sin?
      4. How can our work ethic and daily responsibilities become a testimony to those who do not know Christ?

      Application Questions:

      1. Of the three areas discussed in the sermon—holiness, loving others, and integrity in daily life—which one do you most need to grow in right now? Why?
      2. What is one specific step you can take this week to live in a way that pleases God?